Sri Lanka vs Ireland , Full Score Card

OUT! BOWLED! Bull's eye from Pathirana. He keeps it straight, on a length, outside off, getting it to angle in. Humphreys swings hard but misses. The ball cannons into the off stump and SRI LANKA WIN BY 20 RUNS!

A slower ball, on a length, outside off, Matthew Humphreys swings hard and gets a bottom edge. It goes on the bounce to the keeper.

Number 11 does come out to bat then. Matthew Humphreys would not have expected that in the 15th over.

OUT! CAUGHT! Timed well by George Dockrell but just not well enough. Matheesha Pathirana takes pace off and bowls it wide outside off. Dockrell hangs deep in the crease and reaches out to slash it over cover-point. Dockrell ends up hitting it straight down the throat of Kamindu Mendis at sweeper cover and he makes no mistake. Ireland are now 9 down for 143.

FOUR! Oh, that's gone past everyone. Full length and around off, Dockrell hits it straight back. The fielder at mid off is a bit sluggish and the ball goes past him and again, it is Kamil Mishara at long on who runs to his left. He puts in the dive but this time, the ball wins the race.

A yorker, aimed in at the toes but angling down leg. Dockrell backs away and jams it out through in front of square leg for a couple of runs.

The final over then. Ireland need 27 runs. By the way, the wicket of Curtis Campher picked up by Wanindu Hasaranga was his 40th in T20 World Cups, second only to Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, who has scalped 50. Barry McCarthy walks in next, at number 10, replacing Mark Adair. Matheesha Pathirana will close things out. 2-0-20-0 so far.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one falls. Slower ball, back of a length, outside off. Adair looked to hammer it over cover but mistimed it totally. Dasun Shanaka got across to his left from long off and got to the ball pretty easily. Adair departs for 10 (6) and from 105/2, Ireland are now 137/8! Equation - 27 runs, 6 balls.

FOUR! That's nicely done! A full toss, outside off, Mark Adair gets across and stylishly laps it over short fine leg for a boundary. 27 more needed from 7 balls.

Full and straight, Adair hammers it straight back. The bowler leaps to his right and gets a hand to it, deflecting the ball towards mid on. However, by the time he can go back to collect the ball, the batters return for the second.

Gets it over the infield, does Mark Adair. A bit slower and back of a length, Adair forces the lofted shot over covers and picks up a couple of runs.

In the air but will fall safely. On a hard length, angled in from around off and middle. Dockrell stays leg side of the ball and shanks the lofted shot over mid off for a single. 35 needed off 10 balls.

Slower one, pitched up in the channel around off. George Dockrell stays put and swipes across the line but is well beaten.

Into the final 2 overs of the innings. Dushmantha Chameera is back on. 2-0-16-0 so far.

Dropped short, outside off, Adair rocks back and slaps it wide of long off, to his left, for a couple. A wicket and 7 runs from the over, Wanindu Hasaranga finishes with bowling figures of 4-0-25-3!

Landed around middle and leg, Mark Adair goes back to punch but gets a bottom edge, which just goes past the leg stump, towards short fine leg!

Very pear-shaped has this innings gone now. With the net run rate in question, Ireland should aim to play out 20 overs and get as close to 150 as possible, to reduce the defeat margin. Mark Adair walks in next, at number 9, replacing Curtis Campher.

OUT! CAUGHT! And the one-legged warrior gets his third! Tossed up, outside off, Curtis Campher comes down the track and looks to go over the top. Is barely to the pitch of the ball and only hits it straight to long off, where Dasun Shanaka makes no mistake. Campher departs for 13 (11) and from 105/2, Ireland are now 126/7! Equation - 38 runs, 14 balls.

Nicely fielded again. Tossed up outside off, it is the leg break. Curtis Campher gets across, sits down and slogs it against the turn. The square boundary on the leg side is a big one and he gets it to the right of deep mid-wicket. Pavan Rathnayake smartly runs around and palms the ball in. Just another brace.

Brilliant fielding in the deep. Dragged length on middle, turning away. Campher rocks back and flat-bats it down the ground. Kamil Mishara sprints to his left again from long on and puts in a valiant dive to cut it off. Two taken.

Tossed up on off, dipping late. George Dockrell backs away and slogs it off the inner half of the blade towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Interesting. After 17 overs, Ireland are 121/6. At the same stage, Sri Lanka were 125/4! But we all know what happened next.

A dot ball to finish a wonderful over and outing. Full, around off, Campher pushes it back to the bowler who leaps to stop. 2 wickets and 4 runs from the over and Maheesh Theekshana ends his match with bowling figures of 4-0-23-3!

A short ball, at the stumps, George Dockrell backs away to the leg side and punches it towards mid off.

Hat-trick time! Who is out to face the music? George Dockrell it is, at number 8, replacing Gareth Delany.

OUT! CAUGHT! For the second time in this match, a bowler is on the cusp of a hattrick. A quicker short ball, around off, Gareth Delany looks to pull but only manages a top edge as the ball skids through. It is in the air around short third and Dushmantha Chameera makes no mistake. Quick in and out for Delany.

The wheels are coming off the chase now. Gareth Delany walks in next, at number 7, replacing Ben Calitz.

OUT! STUMPED! Ben Calitz looked like a prime candidate for a stumping or bowled and he has to walk back here. Smartly bowled by Maheesh Theekshana as he sees the batter advancing down the track and slows it up nicely. This is bowled on a dragged length as well and drifts away from middle and leg. Calitz goes through with the shot and misses it completely. The ball just beats the off stump and Kusal Mendis is lightning quick to complete the stumping with Calitz well out of his crease. Ireland are now 120/5.

Dragged down on middle and leg, Ben Calitz makes room leg side and hammers it back down the ground. Kamil Mishara at long off, covers a fair bit of ground to his left and slides to save a couple of runs for his side.

Shorter in length, angled into the batter. Campher stays deep in the crease and swats it across to deep square leg for a single.

Change of pace? Not quite. Maheesh Theekshana will bowl out. 3-0-19-1 so far.

Short, outside off, Campher cuts it to deep point for another single. A wicket and just 4 runs from the over, Hasaranga's bowling figures read 3-0-18-2!

The wrong 'un, outside off, Calitz drags it to long on for one.

Very full, around off, Campher comes down the track and drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Full, outside off, Curtis Campher gets down to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads.

Full, around off, Ben Calitz sweeps it through mid-wicket for a single.

Tremors in the Irish camp. Two new batters in the middle. Ben Calitz walks in at number 6, replacing Harry Tector.

OUT! CAUGHT! Hasaranga, the one-legged warrior is more dangerous than a fully fit Wanindu! Just like that, both set batters are back in the pavillion. Tossed up, outside off, Harry Tector gets down and sweeps it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. He is unable to find enough power and instead finds Pavan Rathnayake well inside the ropes, who makes no mistake. Hasaranga gets his second as Tector departs for 40 (34). From 105/2, Ireland are now 113/4! Equation - 51 runs, 29 balls.

Will Theekshana bowl out? Not quite. Wanindu Hasaranga, the warrior, soldiers on. 2-0-14-1 so far.

FOUR! CHEEKY! Full, around off, Curtis Campher gets down and across and scoops this over short fine leg for a boundary! A wicket and 9 runs from the over, Dunith Wellalage finishes the night with bowling figures of 4-0-28-1.

Full, outside leg, Campher comes down the track and swings, but is not to the pitch of the ball. The ball goes in the air but lands well short of deep mid-wicket. Two runs taken.

The length is dragged back and Tector drags the pull through mid-wicket for a single.

Ooohhh... how did that miss the stumps? The arm ball, following the batter down the leg side, Curtis Campher backs a long way down the leg side and looks to cut but misses. The ball misses the leg stump and hits the keeper's pads. It deflects away towards square leg and the batters pinch a bye.

The 49-run stand is broken and Sri Lanka find their voice. Curtis Campher walks in next, at number 5, replacing Lorcan Tucker.

OUT! CAUGHT! And there comes the mistake. We were getting the feeling that the batters were tiring and with the required rate touching 10 per over, they decided to go for the big hits. That meant more power, through a tired body. Wellalage drops it short, around middle, cramping the batter for room and Lorcan Tucker goes for the pull. But there is a power failure and he finds Kamil Mishara at long on. The 49-run stand is broken and Tucker departs for 21 (18). Ireland are 105/3 and need another 59 runs from 34 balls.

Short, outside off, Harry Tector goes back and cuts it through point for a single. 59 more needed from 35 balls.

DRINKS BREAK. Well, this is baffling. Just an over ago, the players had an unofficial drinks break. And now, they are taking another. By T20 standards, 60 from 36 seems doable. But the heat is getting to the batters and with all the running, they are getting tired even more. Because of the long boundaries, they are not able to score fours and sixes with consistency. This will test their fitness. Sri Lanka might be a bowler down in Wanindu Hasaranga but they have got their bowling options covered. Dunith Wellalage returns. 3-0-20-0 so far.

Short, around off, Tector punches it in front of point for a single. 10 from the over, 20 in the last 2!

Fuller, around off, Harry works it through mid on and the pair comes back for two again!

100 UP FOR IRELAND. 63 more needed from 38 balls. A touch short, around off, HT goes back and punches it towards long on. It is a pretty big boundary and by the time the fielder can get to the ball, the batters are already back for the second.

DROPPED? Not quite. The carrom ball, short in length around off, Tector looks to pull it back but mistimes it back to the bowler. Lands short of the bowler.

Around off, punched down to long on for a single.

FOUR! JUST OVER! Full and wide outside off, Lorcan Tucker reaches out and drives hard. Gets a bit of an outside edge but it flies over a leaping Matheesha Pathirana at backward point, into the fence behind. 66 more needed from 41 balls.

Not quite sure whether Hasaranga should continue. It is just the first match of the tournament, and he can give some rest to his body for bigger matches later on. An unofficial drinks break is being taken, with everyone sipping some water. It is pretty humid out there. After 13 overs, Ireland are 94/2. At the same stage, Sri Lanka were 84/3. Maheesh Theekshana is back on. 2-0-9-1 so far.

Tossed up, outside off, LT goes for the sweep but gets a bottom edge to the off side. Single taken. 10 from the over.

Excellent running again. Short, outside off, Lorcan goes back and cuts it to the left of sweeper. Charges back for the second.

Full, outside off, Tector gets down and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a single.

Short, pulled down to long on for one.

FOUR! SLAM! Due to his hamstring injury, Hasaranga is not able to push the ball through. There is hardly any flight and the ball is travelling a pretty normal trajectory. This one is short, around middle, Lorcan Tucker rocks back and pulls it flat past the bowler. There is no long on while long off cannot get to the ball. The stand moves to 33 (26).

Landed around off, Harry Tector goes back and works it through mid on for a single. 79 more needed from 47 balls.

Interesting. Wanindu Hasaranga returns. 1-0-4-1 so far. What a fighter.

Slower ball to finish, shorter in length, around middle. LT pulls it behind square leg and charges back for the second. The throw from the deep is a good one to the keeper who whips the bails off in a flash, but the run out appeal is not entertained.

Even quicker, outside off, 98.4 kph, Lorcan shapes up for the reverse sweep but misses. The keeper whips the bails off and appeals for the stumping but it is not entertained.

Jumps out well in advance and Wellalage fires it in, around middle, Tucker can only push it back to the bowler.

Slower through the air, 83.3 kph, outside leg again, this time Tector goes inside out over cover. Gets a run.

Short of full, outside leg, Harry Tector backs away to the leg side and nudges it through mid-wicket. Scurries back for the second. Moves to 30 (24).

Dropped short, around off, Lorcan Tucker rocks back and pulls it to wide long on for a single.

Dunith Wellalage is back on. 2-0-14-0 so far.

Slower one, back-of-the-hand variety and bowled outside off. Tucker has to wait for it before he cuts it to deep point for a single. Just 6 runs off that over.

Full and straight, Shanaka lands it right on the popping crease. Tector hangs back and clips it wide of square leg for one more.

An off cutter now, bowled full and on off. Tucker drives it down to long off for a single.

Big delay. Not quite sure what is the reason. Shanaka is talking to Chameera now. As per some of the locals at the ground, it seems like the spidercam has stopped working and hence, they are fixing that. All in readiness now.

Trying to get funky here, is Lorcan Tucker. He shuffles early to the off side and the bowler digs it in short outside off. Tucker tries to pull but the ball flies past him.

Back of a length and around off, punched down to cover for a quick single.

Good hit down the ground but the fielding is good as well. Length ball on off, Tector charges down the pitch, holds his shape and drills it back past the bowler. The fielder at long on sprints to his left and keeps it down to two runs.

Halfway stage in the chase. Ireland are 72/2 and they need 92 more off 60 balls. Also, it seems like Wanindu Hasaranga is hobbling back onto the field and he will try to just play through the pain.

Banged in short over leg, Tector helps it down to fine leg and collects a single. 10 off the over.

FOUR! STREAKY! A toe-crushing yorker at 146.2 kph but slightly leg-sided. Harry Tector tries to get the front leg out of the way and ends up jamming it between the legs. The ball rolls away into the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Length ball on off, slightly fuller, Tucker opens the face of the blade and guides it behind point for one more.

Banged in well short over middle, Tector ends up playing a tennis forehand and mistimes it over mid on for just a single.

Short of a length and outside off, Tector hangs back and crunches it to the right of deep backward point. A slight fumble in the deep allows the batters to come back for the second with ease.

Looks for the spearing yorker but ends up bowling a low full toss, does Pathirana. Tucker clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga might not bowl anymore in this game. He is off the field and the bowling coach Lasith Malinga was seen having a long discussion with Matheesha Pathirana during the previous over. And with that said, Pathirana is back into the attack as well.

Slower delivery, very full and on middle. Tector waits well, plays it with a straight bat and firms it to the left of long on for a couple of runs more.

Back of a length and outside off, Tector stays upright and crunches it down to point. The fielder over there makes a sharp stop. Good cricket all round.

Another slower one, back of a length and over middle. Tector stays nice and tall, punching it down the ground. The fielder at long on cuts it off to his left and the batters pick up two runs.

A direct hit but the batter is well in. Pace off again, around off, Tucker dabs it to the right of backward point and sets off for the single. There is a direct hit at the bowler's end but Harry Tector has made it in time.

Slower one, full and at the stumps, Tucker looks to drive but adjusts and just blocks it off.

Short of a length and around off, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

The next batter is Lorcan Tucker. Also, Dasun Shanaka brings himself into the attack now.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! One leg or not, Wanindu Hasaranga gets a big wicket for Sri Lanka. He bowls another wrong'un, tossing it up very full and on off stump. Ross Adair clears the front leg and swings wildly across the line but gets nowhere near the delivery. The ball dips and ends up smashing into the middle pole. That was so unnecessary given it was Hasaranga's last ball but Adair has to walk back after making 34 (23).

Hasaranga seems to be bowling on one leg right now. Floated, outside off, Adair drives it towards backward point.

Excellent running. Flatter one on middle, tucked away off the back foot and through mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs.

A googly now, Hasaranga barely put any effort into it. This is bowled shorter and Tector hoicks it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Oh, what's happened here? Wanindu Hasaranga has pulled up and he might have just pulled his hamstring here. It doesn't look good at all and the physio is out in the middle to have a look. Hasaranga has had a really sour history with injuries and if he has pulled a hamstring, this could be it for him in this World Cup. Let's hope that it is more of a cramp than a pull. Looks like Wanindu is going to continue, at least for now.

A tad shorter and outside off, turning away. Adair rocks back and cuts it hard through backward point for a single.

Dragged length around off, Adair backs away and dabs it down to backward point.

Wanindu Hasaranga is now brought into the attack.

Uppish but doesn't carry. Nicely flighted again by Dunith Wellalage, lobs it a bit wider of the off stump. Tector throws his hands at it and slices it on the bounce to the point fielder.

Flatter and a bit fuller outside off, smacked away to sweeper cover for just one more.

Flighted ball outside off, eased away on the up and through cover-point for a single.

Oh, that's gone through. Shorter in length and outside off, Harry Tector rocks back and cuts it down to the right of backward point. Wanindu Hasaranga scampers across but slips and lets it through. The batters pick up a couple of runs.

Good length around off, tapped away square through the off side for a single.

WIDE. Oh, some turn. Floated up, on a length and outside off, this one turns past the tramline outside off.

Flat and full, around off, Tector swats it along the turf to long off and picks up a single.

DRINKS BREAK. 45/1 at the end of 6 overs is a decent start by Ireland but they would have liked 10 runs more to get ahead in the game. Sri Lanka haven't bowled badly at all so far but a few boundaries have cost them. The spinners have already shown their promise and it will be very interesting to see how the Lankan spinners are used in the middle phase. We have already seen 3 overs of spin in the first 6 overs.

Another bumper to end the over and Ireland are 45/1 at the end of the Powerplay. Chameera digs it in short over middle, Adair looks to pull it from inside the crease but is well beaten.

FOUR! Not a bad delivery but Adair still gets it away to the fence. Slower one, just back of a length and outside off. Ross Adair stays put and ends up tugging the ball back past the bowler, straight down the ground for a boundary.

Excellent comeback delivery, a typical fast bowler's response from Chameera. Bumper, over off stump, at 140.7 kph and comes in around head height. Adair has to sway out of the line of the ball.

FOUR! Up and over. Ross Adair is coming hard at the Lankan bowlers and is finding the fence with regularity now. Good length outside off, Adair is quick to step out and holds the shape before swooshing it over cover-point for a boundary.

On a hard length over the stumps, Tector stands tall and pushes it down wide of mid on for a single.

A length ball on the pads, Tector picks it up and flicks it nicely towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder from deep square leg runs to his left and mops thigs up. Two taken.

Dushmantha Chameera (1-0-5-0) is back on to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Dragged length over middle, Ross dances down the pitch and looks to heave it away but gets an inside edge onto the body.

Shortish length around middle, angles in with the arm. Adair plays all around it and gets hit on the thigh pad.

SIX! Right off the sweet spot. Tossed up around off, a bit too full. Ross Adair gets the front leg out of the way and crunches the slog sweep in front of mid-wicket for a huge six.

Slows it up, does Wellalage and loops it nicely on off. The ball grips a bit and Adair eases it to extra cover.

Tossed up on off, Tector plays it with a straight bat and drives it down to long off for a single.

Flighted delivery, very full and on middle, Harry backs away a bit and pushes it out to covers.

Another bowling change and we will see spin from both ends now. Dunith Wellalage comes into the attack.

Nice and full around middle, eased down to long on for a single by Tector.

Flatter one, in line with the stumps, pushed back to the bowler.

DROPPED! That should have been taken. Theekshana takes pace off and bowls it on a good length outside off. Ross Adair looks to cut but is undone by the extra bounce. The ball gets sliced over short third, where Matheesha Pathirana times the leap to perfection but spills it behind and concedes a single.

Dragged length on off, punched away off the back foot and past mid off for a single.

The talismanic Irish skipper departs and in comes the new batter. Harry Tector is in at number 3.

OUT! TIMBER! Smart bowling from Maheesh Theekshana as he fires in another ball, full and straight. Paul Stirling backs away to the leg side and looks to step out but ends up yorking himself. The ball slips under the bat and castles into the stumps. Stirling departs ater a sluggish start, for 6 (13) and Ireland are 24/1 in 3.2 overs.

Fired in, full and on off, swings back in. Stirling backs away to jam it out but gets hit on the body.

FOUR! Would you believe it? An inside edge and so far, Ross Adair has sent the last ball of every over to the fence. Full and straight, looking for the yorker. Adair stays deep and looks to jam it out but gets an inside edge down to fine leg for four runs.

Dug in shorter and over middle at around 134 kph. Stirling misjudges the pace of the ball as he looks to pull. Gets beaten and the ball goes off the shoulder onto the side of the helmet. The ball goes into the off side and they get a leg bye.

Another slower ball, well disguised this time from Pathirana. Seemed like a leg cutter, fractionally short and around off. Stirling looks to pull but misses.

FOUR! Hacked away to the leg side by the skipper. Slower delivery, on a length and around off. Paul Stirling stays put and drags it away over wide mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good fielding. Fuller this time and around off, Adair stays leg side of the ball and hammers it on the up. The extra cover fielder dives to his left and makes a half stop, keeping it down to a single.

Hard length at 142.5 kph, angled down leg. Stirling gets all tucked up as he looks to pull but misses. The ball hits the flap of the pad and goes behind square leg. They get a leg bye.

WIDE. Wayward start from Pathirana. Length ball, spilled well down the leg side. Kusal Mendis does well to pouch it.

Just one over for Dushmantha Chameera and now, Matheesha Pathirana comes in to replace him.

FOUR! UP AND OVER! Too full, outside off, Ross Adair leans and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. Eventful over.

A touch short, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

DROPPED? STUMPING MISSED? The first. The carrom ball, outside off, fractionally short, Paul Stirling tries to guide it towards short third but gets a healthy outside edge. The keeper, Kusal Mendis, tries sticking out his right glove but the ball does not stick in the webbing. He tries to take it in the second attempt but the ball drops down.

Fielding change. Deep mid-wicket is called inside the 30-yard circle.

A touch short, around middle, zips through. Ross Adair goes back to pull but mistimes it towards long on for a single.

Outside off, punched towards cover.

Massive LBW appeal first up. Turned down. Full, around off, Paul Stirling gets a long way across to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. The batters take the single off the deflection while the keeper, bowler and skipper have a chat. Eventually, they decide not to take the review due to the impact. Leg bye signalled.

Quiet start. It was an excellent opening over from Chameera. Maheesh Theekshana will share the new ball from the other end.

FOUR! A hack but Ireland won't care. Pace off, on a length, around off, Adair swings hard and gets it off the inner half of the bat. But it goes past short mid-wicket and races to the fence behind. Pinpoint start by Chameera.

On a length, around off, skids through, 139.3 kph, Ross Adair is surprised and late in bringing his bat down. Gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Ireland are underway. Full and a bit leg sidish, the skipper chips it uppishly towards deep square leg for a single to get off the mark.

Lovely ball. Paul jumps put of his crease and Chameera smartly takes the pace off. Lands it on a length, outside off and the batter slashes hard. Misses and luckily for him, the ball just shaves the off stump!

Slightly back of a length, outside off, Stirling has a massive hack and gets it from the back of his bat, towards point.

Straightaway on target. On a length, around middle and off, Paul Stirling defends.

Another slower ball. Banged into the surface, outside off, Mendis goes for the pull but is done in by the extra bounce. Gets a massive top edge that goes towards long on. The fielder comes charging in but the ball lands well in front of him. The batters return for the second and SRI LANKA FINISH ON 163/6!

WIDE. We are still not done yet. Slower ball, into the surface, outside off, Kusal Mendis waits for the ball to arrive and then leaps to play the upper cut. Misses. Signalled a wide as that went a mile over his head.

A slower ball now, short in length, around middle, KM goes for the pull but mistimes it towards short fine leg. Goes for the single but Hasaranga turns it down.

Outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga goes for the pull but mistimes it past the bowler through mid off, for a run.

DROPPED! Another one goes down. Full, outside off, Kusal hammers this straight back. The bowler is in his followthrough, going to his left, but cannot hang on. The ball deflects behind to mid off and the batters take a single.

Landed outside off, Mendis gets across, then tries to go back and play the scoop, but misses.

FOUR! Dropped short, around middle, Kusal Mendis arches back and drags the ball through square leg, finding the fence. HALF CENTURY UP, IN 39 BALLS.

Final over. 170? 175?

Slower ball, on a length, outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga slashes but misses. End of a longgggg over - 11 balls, 19 runs, and 2 wickets!

WIDE. Fourth of the over! Slower ball goes awry, well outside off, left alone.

Hat-trick ball time. Wanindu Hasaranga walks in to face it, at number 8, replacing his skipper, Dasun Shanaka.

OUT! CAUGHT! The ball has been deemed legal and the Lankan skipper comes and goes for a golden duck. And yet another bowler is a on a hat-trick in this World Cup! And this has come out of nowhere. A high full toss, around middle, Dasun Shanaka looks to go big, aiming to swing it to the leg side but only gets a massive top edge. The ball goes high in the air, but only as far as short third. Mark Adair takes the catch but nearly makes a meal of it, taking it very low above the surface. Ireland start to celebrate but Shanaka looks at the umpires to question the height of the ball. The umpires refer it upstairs but technology projects the ball to be dipping onto the batter, meaning a fair ball.

A wicket! But is the ball legal? The third umpire has been called into action to check whether this was above the waist height or not.

The Lankan dugout will be breathing a lot easier now. 8 balls left and they can target 170, even 175 from here. Skipper Dasun Shanaka walks in next, at number 7, replacing Kamindu Mendis for a fiery finish.

OUT! CAUGHT! Stop the press. Ireland have finally taken a catch after a series of drops. A low full toss, around middle and leg, Kamindu is caught in his shuffle and mistimes his chip towards mid off. George Dockrell gets across to his left and smiles after taking the catch. The only good thing for Ireland in this over. Kamindu departs for a brisk 44 (19) and the quickfire 67-run stand has been broken. SRI LANKA ARE 153/5 AFTER 18.4 OVERS!

Outside off, on a length, Kamindu Mendis chips this over George Dockrell running back from cover to his right. The ball lands safely and the batters return for the second.

WIDE. A bouncer, around middle, Kamindu goes for the hook but misses. He looks at the square leg umpire and it is wided for height.

150 UP FOR SRI LANKA! And we still have 9 balls left. Fuller, around middle, Kamindu Mendis chips this over the bowler down to long on and hares back for the second.

SIX! PUMMELED! So technically, Barry McCarthy has gone for 13 runs on one ball in this over. Pace off, short in length, outside off, Kamindu Mendis rocks back and heaves the pull over mid-wicket! Moves to 40 (16)!

ANOTHER WIDE! The bowler is not happy. Kamindu backs away to the leg side and then walks across his stumps. McCarthy fires it down the leg side and the batter misses his scoop. It is wided but the bowler has a case there.

WIDE. The Free Hit continues. Down the leg side, fuller in length, Kamindu looks to sweep but misses.

NO BALL, FOUR AND 50-RUN STAND IS UP! If you are an Irish fan, please hope that dew has set in. Otherwise, this has gone above the ceiling now. McCarthy comes from around the wicket and tries to bowl around leg stump. But he loses control and he loses it so badly that it goes around the head of the batter, who does well to attempt the pull. Connects it off the top edge and it flies past the keeper, to his right and into the fine leg fence!

Barry McCarthy will bowl the 19th over. 2-0-21-0 so far.

FOUR! Spoils a good over. Landed outside off, Kusal Mendis reaches out and carves it wide of short third for a boundary to his right! 10 from the over, 31 in the last 2!

Short, outside off, KM pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Landed around off, Kamindu swivels for the pull but gets a bottom edge which goes past the stumps towards fine leg. A run taken.

DROPPED! Oh dear, the ball has been creamed with butter, one feels. A lovely leg cutter, into the surface, back of a length, around middle, Kusal goes for the pull but is done in by the extra bounce. Gets a top edge which goes only as far as deep square leg. The fielder comes charging in and it is Ross Adair, who is the brother of the bowler! Takes the catch, but while diving, his elbows hit the ground and the ball pops out. A run taken.

A full toss, outside off, probably going for the wide yorker. Kamindu Mendis reaches out and slices it towards deep cover for a run.

A cross-seam delivery to start. Short and wide outside off, Kusal Mendis reaches out and slaps it over cover for a single. The stand moves to 40 (20).

Finally the jet lag has been worked over. The 17th over was the biggest by a margin for Sri Lanka and the fans would hope that the launch has started. All of a sudden, 160 is a certain possibility. Pace is back on at last, after the 6th over! Mark Adair returns. 2-0-14-1 so far.

FOUR! Another boundary to end the 17th over, Sri Lanka get 21 runs off it. Floated up, fuller and angled across off. Kamindu Mendis sits down, reaches out and smacks it down the ground. No chance for the long on fielder running to his right.

FOUR! The momentum is shifting and rather quickly too. Dragged down from Humphreys and on middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis goes deep in the crease and shovels it to the right of deep backward square leg for a boundary.

DROPPED AND SIX! It's all happening out there in the middle. Tossed up, full and on middle, Kamindu Mendis clears the front leg and lofts it back over the bowler's head. George Dockrell runs to his left from long off and just lets it through his hands. The ball lands over the ropes and Kamindu gets six runs.

Oh, just out of reach! Attacking the stumps, Kusal Mendis shuffles to the off side and looks to lap it away but gets more of a top edge on it. The ball goes high and over short fine leg where the fielder is a bit late to react. He runs back over his shoulder and cannot lay a hand on a difficult chance. Does well to chase it down and save a run for his side. Three taken.

Short and wide outside off, turning away, Kusal reaches out and slaps it over cover for a couple.

DROPPED! A complete mishit and Curtis Campher has overrun it by a mile. A juicy full toss from Matthew Humphreys and around off. Kusal Mendis dances down the track and throws his hands at the slog. Ends up slicing it over mid off. Campher charges in from long off and he has George Dockrell in his eyeline a bit as well. In the end, Campher goes after it but gets nowhere near catching the ball. Dockrell mops things up and the batters get a couple of runs.

'Jet lag in your own country', chides Matthew Hayden on air, joking on Sri Lanka's inability to find boundaries with regularity.

Excellent fielding again - this time from Curtis Campher. Full, around off, Kamindu Mendis gets down and sweeps it over square leg. The ball lands into space and trickles towards the ropes but along comes Campher from deep mid-wicket, puts in a full-length dive to his left and pushes the ball back towards the fielder from mid-wicket who was running back. The third umpire is called into action and he is convinced that the safe is clean. Two runs saved. 4-0-24-1 for Gareth Delany.

Tossed up, around off, 87.1 kph, Kusal comes down the track and looks to go big. But he is not to the pitch of the ball and hits it of the toe end towards long off, for one.

Pretty full, outside off, 83.1 kph, Kamindu gets down and sweeps it powerfully through square leg for a run.

FOUR! Finally, the boundary curse is broken. Tossed up around off, Kamindu Mendis goes for the reverse sweep again and lifts it over backward point for four runs. A boundary after 56 balls and the 100 is now up for Sri Lanka.

Outside off, pretty full, Kamindu Mendis goes for the reverse sweep but misses.

Tossed up, outside off, Kusal Mendis goes to the leg side and tries to get a boundary through the inside-out shot. But can only hit it slightly wide of long off, to his left, for a single.

5 overs left. 10 an over takes the Lankans to 145. Bare minimum, one would say?

A valiant effort in the field and the search for that elusive boundary continues for Sri Lanka. Humphreys fires it in on a good length around off, Kamindu Mendis presses back and chips it over the bowler's head. However, Mark Adair from long off runs to his left and puts in a dive to save the boundary. It is checked for a clean stop and everything is clear. Two taken.

Short, outside off, with a bit of a round-arm action, lowering the trajectory, Kamindu Mendis pulls it to the left of long on for a couple.

Tossed up, outside off, Kusal reaches out and carves it over cover for another single.

Landed outside off, Kamindu works it through mid on for one.

Outside off, Kusal Mendis eases this through the covers for a run.

Excellent fielding. Matthew Humphreys returns to the attack and is immediately switched on. Darts this on the pads and Kamindu Mendis works it through mid-wicket. Sensing that the batters will go for the second, Humphreys himself charges towards the ball to his left and keeps the batters to a single.

Full, on middle, Kamindu Mendis comes down the track and drives it down the ground. There are a couple of runs on offer and Kamindu turns back for the second but Kusal sends him back. Poor running. A wicket and 3 runs from the over, Gareth Delany's bowling figures read 3-0-15-1.

DRINKS BREAK. Overs since the Powerplay - 7.5. Runs scored - 36. Wickets lost - 3. Boundaries hit - 0. The mire is getting deeper and deeper for the Lankans and though they have quality spinners of their own, they will need at least a 140 to post a defendable score. Ireland are smartly squeezing the Lankans through spin and in fact, the last over bowled by a pacer was as back as the 6th! Kamindu Mendis has come in next, at number 6, replacing Dunith Wellalage and needless to say, the Lankans need to crack the whip now.

OUT! CAUGHT! The pressure of not finding the fence was telling and Sri Lanka lose another wicket. Cleverly bowled by Gareth Delany as he gives it a bit more air and throws the ball wider of the off stump. Dunith Wellalage goes after it but has to reach for it and ends up skying it down to long on. George Dockrell settles under it well and pouches it safely. Wellalage departs for 10 (13) and SL are now 86/4.

Short, outside off, stays low a touch, Mendis goes back and pulls it through mid on for a run. Moves to 30 (27).

Excellent review! Gareth Delany drifts a full ball into the pads. Mendis sits down to sweep but plays over the ball and gets struck on the pads. There is a prolonged appeal from the Irish players and the finger does go up. However, Kusal Mendis has reviewed it instantly. It seems like Mendis thinks there's a bit of glove involved but there's nothing on UltraEdge when the third umpire checks it. Ball Tracking is building up next and thankfully for Mendis, it shows that the ball would have missed leg stump. NOT OUT.

Landed outside off, 86.7 kph, Kusal Mendis goes back and dabs this away, but straight to short third.

Full, around off, Dunith Wellalage eases this through mid on for a single.

What a spell from Dockrell. 24 balls, 17 runs, 9 dot balls, 2 wickets, and not a single boundary! Gareth Delany returns. 2-0-12-0 so far.

Full and around off, DW leans and clips it through mid-wicket for one. 4-0-17-2 for George Dockrell in this match.

Dropped short, outside off, Dunith pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple.

WIDE. Way outside off, angling away, left alone.

Landed around middle, moving away, 88 kph, Mendis goes back and works it through mid-wicket. The batters take the single and Mendis turns blind for the second. However, Wellalage sends him back at the right time and Mendis dives back in, before the throw comes at the bowling end, with the stumps being dislodged.

Short and outside off, Wellalage goes back and punches it through mid on for one.

Full and slightly wide outside off, Kusal Mendis reaches out and drives it through mid off for a run.

Short, outside off, Dunith Wellalage cuts it behind point for a single.

The crowd is getting twitchy now. Cannot blame them. It is a Sunday evening and they have come here for entertainment. Additionally, the two games earlier today, in Chennai and Mumbai, were high-scoring thrillers. Of course, they will not mind if Sri Lanka win at the end of the day. Meanwhile, Wanindu Hasaranga is keenly watching from the Lankan dugout. Give me 140, he will be saying. That is enough on this surface.

Short, outside off, spinning in, Kusal gets across and pulls it with his eyes closed, getting the ball through square leg. Gets a couple for his efforts.

Short again, outside off, 94.7 kph, Mendis rocks back and punches it towards cover.

Shorter, around off, 84.1 kph, Wellalage punches it through the covers for one.

Fuller, around middle, Dunith Wellalage comes down the track and defends.

Oohhh... massive turn! Where did Muralidaran come from, all of a sudden? Landed outside off, short of full, Kusal Mendis rocks back to dab it towards short third but the ball spins back in a long way, cramping him for room. Still, he manages to connect and gets a run in that region.

Fired down the leg side, Dunith Wellalage clips it towards short fine leg for a single.

Time for a change in pace? Umm... not quite. It is a change in bowling but another spinner. Harry Tector will bowl his offies now.

On middle and off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for another single. A wicket and 3 singles from the over, George Dockrell's bowling figures read 3-0-9-2 so far.

Tossed up, around off, Kusal Mendis leans and drives it towards long off for a run.

A touch short, around middle, Wellalage pulls it to deep square leg for a single to get off the mark.

Down the leg side, Dunith Wellalage flicks it straight to short fine leg.

Around off, worked to the leg side.

Sri Lanka's innings is going nowhere at the moment. Dunith Wellalage walks in next, at number 5, replacing Pavan Rathnayake.

OUT! BOWLED! Rathnayake trying to be cute, ends up looking ugly. One feels that he tried 2-3 shots on that one ball. He backed away for probably playing the inside-out shot. Seeing that, Dockrell kept it full and in line of the stumps. So the response from the batter was to try the scoop past the keeper. If he had connected, it would have been a beautiful shot. But unfortunately, he missed and the ball hit the stumps. Dockrell is pumped up with his second scalp in 6 balls while Rathnayake is down on the ground. He departs for 5 (9) and from 62/1, Sri Lanka are now 68/3!

Halfway mark reached. Sri Lanka are 68/2 but crucially, the post-Powerplay phase has yielded 1/18 in 4 overs so far. Remember, they were 50/1 at the end of the Powerplay.

Floated wide outside off, 88.4 kph, PR reaches out and drives it towards sweeper cover for one.

Full, around middle, Pavan drives it back to the bowler.

On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Another misfield. Ireland have been very ordinary in the field so far. Very full, outside off, Rathnayake eases the square drive through point. Sweeper gets across to his left but while picking up the ball, looks up early and lets the ball slip. Single was taken initially, but now gets doubled.

Fuller, around middle, 86.4 kph, Kusal Mendis watchfully pushes it towards long on with a lunge, for a run.

Tossed up, around leg stump, 89.5 kph, Pavan Rathnayake comes down the track, takes the ball on the full and pushes it towards long on for a single.

Full and around middle, 90.4 kph, Mendis defends. A wicket and just 2 runs from the over. George Dockrell's bowling figures read 2-0-6-1 so far.

Similar ball to the previous one, this time Pavan comes forward and drives it towards long on for a run to get off the mark.

Down the leg side, Rathnayake looks to flick it away but misses and is hit on the pads. The keeper appeals for LBW, more out of habit. That was hitting the 6th stump down the leg side.

Tossed up, outside off, Pavan Rathnayake comes forward and then goes back, to dab it towards backward point.

Despair for Nissanka. That was there for the taking. Pavan Rathnayake walks in next at number 4, replacing Pathum Nissanka.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dockrell breaks the budding 34-run stand. Not by the best of deliveries though. Short and wide outside off, begging to be hit. Pathum Nissanka rocks back and slaps it away. But unfortunately for him, it goes straight into the bread basket of Paul Stirling at cover! Nissanka hangs his head back in disappointment. Just a metre here and there and it would have been a boundary. Instead, he has to walk back after getting a start, making 24 (23). Sri Lanka are 62/2 after 8.2 overs.

Short and outside off, spinning away, 89.4 kph, Kusal Mendis rocks back and punches it through the covers for a single.

Very full, on middle, KM works it through square leg for one more. Not a single dot ball in that over.

Short, around middle, Nissanka gets down on a knee and pulls it to deep square leg for another single.

Looped up slightly, around middle, Kusal goes back and nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Around off, Pathum Nissanka drives it straight back. The bowler tries to get down to his right and effect the run out but only manages to deflect it towards the umpire behind. The batters take a run. The stand moves to 30 (21).

This time the ball lands. Mendis employs another sweep, this time all around the ground, towards deep square leg, for a single.

A full toss to start. Kusal Mendis is straightaway down to sweep but is a bit early and gets this off the top edge. The ball flies towards deep backward square leg but there is no one there. By the time deep square leg can get across, two runs are taken.

Double bowling change? Indeed. Another leg spinner. Time to have a look at leggie Gareth Delany.

Back to normalcy. Short and wide outside off, Kusal reaches out and punches it through point for another single. Just felt like that ball turned away a touch.

Finally something fuller. Around middle and off, Mendis lunges to defend.

Outside off, punched through the covers for one.

Another short ball, around off, 91.6 kph, Kusal Mendis goes back and punches it through the covers for a run.

Another long hop, around off, Nissanka rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short, outside off, Pathum Nissanka cuts it towards short third.

DRINKS BREAK. That final over tilts the phase in Sri Lanka's favour. They seemed to be struggling initially but then Ireland lost control over their lines and lengths, spraying the ball around. As many as 6 fours and a six have been conceded, but most of them have been because of poor lengths. George Dockrell has been given the ball now. That is another rarity. He has not preferred to bowl much in the last two years.

FOUR! Third boundary of the over! This is not all that bad a ball but just a pure good cricketing shot. Fractionally short of a length outside off, that's all. But Mendis arches back and punches it in the gap between cover and point. What a final over of the Powerplay - 0 4 0 4 0 4! Sri Lanka end the Powerplay with their score on 50/1.

Good riposte from the bowler. Banged in short, outside off, Mendis looks to rise with the bounce and play the upper cut but misses.

MISFIELD, FOUR! Too short again, outside off, coming in, Kusal Mendis pulls it to the right of mid on. The fielder gets across to his right but then puts in a lumbered dive and the ball goes through.

Hard length around middle, Mendis sets up to pull but the ball isn't quite short. This is eventually jammed down to mid on.

FOUR! Oh, such great control from Kusal Mendis. Just marginally short on middle and leg, Mendis waits back and uses the wrists to half pull the ball. The ball goes quickly and well to the left of deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Good-length delivery, slanting back in from well outside off. Mendis punches it down into the off side.

Final over of the Powerplay. It has been an okayish one for Ireland so far. Can they snap another wicket? Barry McCarthy returns with a change of ends. 1-0-9-0 so far.

Full and down the leg side, Mendis looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. 10 runs from the over.

Another missile, dropped short around off, 96.2 kph, Kusal Mendis rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Fired through outside off, on a length, Pathum Nissanka pushes it through the covers for a single.

SIX! First one of the night! On the shorter side again from Matthew Humphreys, Nissanka has enough time to press back and he gets low before shovelling it over deep square leg for a biggie.

Slightly slower and shorter on off and middle, Mendis waits back and taps it through mid on for one more.

Bowled into the pitch and around off, Nissanka rocks back, swivels on it nicely and pulls it down along the turf to deep mid-wicket for a single.

If it is written in the stars, it does happen. Ireland got two chances to get the opening wicket, muffed both but eventually, managed to cling onto the third. Kusal Mendis walks in next, at number 3, replacing Kamil Mishara. Matthew Humphreys is back on. 1-0-5-0 so far.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dropped once on ball 6, dropped second time on ball 9 and eventually taken on ball number 11! That has been the timeline for Kamil Mishara. Slower ball does the trick. Adair rolls his fingers over the ball and lands it on a length, around off, angling it away. Mishara is looking to punch it through the off side but is early into his stroke. The ball lands and then stops on the pitch a touch. Goes off the top edge straight up in the air towards mid off, where Barry McCarthy gobbles up an easy chance. However, after taking the catch, McCarthy signals towards the floodlights, indicating that the lights came into his eyes. Hayden on air informs us that the floodlights here in Colombo are at a slightly lower level than other venues. Mishara departs for 14 (11) and Sri Lanka are 28/1 after 4 overs!

Slower ball, 105.6 kph, on a length, down the leg side, Kamil Mishara looks to nudge it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.

Short and around off, angling in, Pathum Nissanka picks the length in a trice and pulls it powerfully and uppishly. There is not much elevation and he nearly hits it straight to the fielder in the deep. There is a deep mid-wicket stationed and the ball lands just short of him. A single taken.

The in-between length again from Adair, just outside off stump. Nissanka plays away from the body and taps it cover-point. Three dots to start the over.

Oh, that jagged back in sharply. On a hard length, pitches on off and darts back into the right-hander. Nissanka gets taken by surprise but manages to jam it out.

Back of a length and around off, sits up for the batter. Nissanka hops onto the back foot and slaps it away but straight to the cover fielder.

On a length, around off, angling in, Nissanka tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Dropped short, outside off, Pathum Nissanka pulls it through square leg for a couple.

DROPPED! Another life for Kamil Mishara. In the span of 4 balls! On a length, around middle and leg, Mishara flicks it through mid-wicket, uppishly. Short mid-wicket gets across to his left and it seems like he puts in the dive as an afterthought. As a result, the ball comes onto him much quicker than his anticipation, hits his left wrist and bobbles away. A single taken.

Back of a length and outside off, Mishara chops it down towards cover.

Shortish length around leg, Mishara looks to use that bottom hand and whip it away but misses and wears it on the thigh pad.

WIDE! Slightly pace off, a bit fuller and pushed well wide of the off stump.

DROPPED? FOUR! That went past the bowler in a flash. Pitched up fuller on middle and leg, Mishara takes the front leg out and drills it a bit uppishly and to the left of the bowler. Barry McCarthy is late to react and the ball just flies past his hands and runs away to the fence.

One more over for spin in the Powerplay? Nope. Barry McCarthy will bowl the third over.

Half volley, outside off, Pathum Nissanka executes a free-flowing cover drive but finds Paul Stirling at extra cover. 13 runs from the first over of pace.

Similar ball, just a bit quicker. Mishara taps it towards mid on and takes the single.

FOUR! WHIPPED AWAY! First boundary for Mishara in the World Cup. On a length, around middle, just a hint of inward movement, Kamil Mishara just whips it over mid-wicket and with no soul in the deep, it is a boundary.

That in-between length, lands on leg and darts across the left-hander. Kamil Mishara looks to hang back and defend but gets an outside edge that rolls down to gully and the fielder over there dives to his left and deflects it behind. The batters get two runs here.

WIDE. On a good length, wide outside off and this one angles further away from the left-hander. Mishara is unable to reach it and a wide is called.

Back of a length again and outside off, Nissanka stands tall and plays the square cut through the point region, picking up a single.

FOUR! That's gone through. Back of a length and outside off, shaping away. Pathum Nissanka gets up on his toes and pats it down to the left of covers. The fielder dives over the ball and lets it through for the first boundary of the contest.

Eventless opening over. Matthew Hayden on air informs us that Humphreys is an ambi-dextrous bowler. From what we have seen so far in the international circuit, Humphreys usually has bowled only left-arm spin. Would be interesting to see him bowl with the right hand. Pace from the other end now. Here's Mark Adair.

Outside off, Mishara punches it past the diving fielder at cover for a couple to get off the mark.

Short and outside off, from over the wicket, Kamil Mishara is surprised by the lift and bunts it back to the bowler.

Dropped short, sliding down the leg side, Pathum Nissanka goes back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter again, slightly outside off, Nissanka stays back and taps it down to backward point.

That's much better from the bowler. Pushed through quicker and a touch fuller around off, and this one skids through. Nissanka hangs back to play a late dab but misses.

Off the mark straightaway! A bit of a loosener to begin with from Humphreys. This is bowled short and around off, Pathum Nissanka rocks back and pulls it firmly between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple of runs.

Let's play! The national anthems have been sung and we are ready for the action to begin. For those tuning in just now, a reminder that this is the third game of the day. In the afternoon, New Zealand successfully chased down 183 against Afghanistan in Chennai and just a few moments ago, Nepal fell 4 runs agonizingly short of England's 184 at the Wankhede. The Irish get into a huddle and after a few last-minute words, disperse. Now walk the Lankan openers - Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara. It will be the spin of Matthew Humphreys to start things off. Nissanka to face. Here we go!

Sri Lanka Matha - Yes, that time of the game when every country's individual's hair stands on end. The national anthem. The match officials - that's the four umpires and the match referee - make their way out to the middle. They are followed by the two teams. It will be Ireland's anthem first, succeeded by that of the Lankans.

England save the blushes! Phew. That is what the whole of UK would be feeling right now. England's opening match of the 2026 World Cup, often a slippery peel, against 'minnows' Nepal. Oops... no one is a minnow these days. Especially in T20 cricket. England bat first and post a competitive 184/7. Safe? Think again. Nepal fought tooth and nail and came to needing 10 runs in the last over, unfortunately undone by a brilliant last over from Sam Curran, which went for just 5 runs! England survive a scare and come up triumphs by just 4 runs. Net run rate could be very crucial in this tournament but for now, Harry Brook and co will take the 2 points. The smiles on the English faces reveal more of relief than joy. Tough luck for Nepal, but well fought, lads.

The skipper of Sri Lanka, DASUN SHANAKA, feels that this looks like a very good track, so anything over 170 would be very good on this pitch. On being asked as to what will it take for the Lankans to get back to winning ways, Shanaka replies saying that the team has covered a lot of areas coming ino the World Cup, but is now settled with 5 quality batters and 5 quality bowlers. On the chance of playing a World Cup in front of their home crowd, Dasun admits that the team is excited to play in what can be called as their 'home World Cup'.

PAUL STIRLING, the captain of Ireland, says that the wicket looks drier than the last time. Adds that they need to be at their best and informs that they have gone in with the extra batter.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy and Matthew Humphreys.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana.

TOSS - Time for the flip of the coin. The two captains are out in the middle - Dasun Shanaka and Paul Stirling. Shanaka is the home captain, so he will give it a toss while Stirling will call. HEADS is the call and it is a HEAD. IRELAND CHOOSE TO BOWL FIRST.

PITCH REPORT - Former Aussie World Cup champion, MATTHEW HAYDEN, informs us about the conditions. Says that they are perfect to play cricket with just a gentle breeze blowing across. On the dimensions. Haydos is marvelled by the size, noting that down the ground the distance is 84 metres, while the square sides read 71 and 77 metres. Former Sri Lankan World Cup champion RUSSELL ARNOLD now gets across for his thoughts. Informs that history says that 125 is the average winning score here in the last 10 games. However, he just scratches that thought for this clash because he calls tonight's deck as a belter, with a nice covering of grass. Predicts that the ball will slide onto the bat and the batters can hit through the line. Warns them of not too much bounce but adds that there will be just a little bit of spin. For Arnold, 175 is the par score for him tonight.

An upset on the cards? Boy o boy, never thought it could come to this. Chasing 185 against England at the Wankhede, Nepal are 175/6 and need 10 runs in the last over! Could they actually achieve the unthinkable?

Dry pitch on offer? On Saturday, Irish wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker had a look at the surface and opined that a very dry track is in the offing for Sunday's clash. He expects both sides to include an extra spinner in their side and to be mentally prepared for a spin test. But just a reminder to everyone, this is an evening game and usually, there is dew present in Colombo. Dew is one thing which cannot be predicted in advance. As in, if there has been rain around the area, chances are that there might be no precipitation. Additionally, if there is a nice breeze blowing across, then also, the chances of dew coming are very less. Usually, dew comes when there is a big difference in the temperatures during the day and the night. Summer has not yet started in the Island nation so it is not like there will be a massive dip in the evenings. So as a captain, it is pretty difficult to make a decision based on the dew. The skippers will have to take a call on how the surface looks.

Thank you for the support! (Or not)? Well, no pun intended here. Sri Lanka are coming off a home 0-3 whitewash to Pakistan and skipper Dasun Shanaka certainly did not mince words while criticizing the pitches in that series. Shanaka felt that the tracks were way too slow for a T20 format and made the batters work extra hard for their runs, something which he believes, should not be happening in this format. Shanaka might get a slight relief in that area, because as far as the World Cups or any ICC tournament is concerned, a separate set of curators are assigned. And usually, the pitches tend to be a lot more batter friendly in such tournaments. Having said that though, if I were in Shanaka's place, I would rather prefer a slow and low pitch, simply because of the teams in my group - Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman. Except Oman, who is likely to play better on sluggish tracks?

Kya se kya ho gaya -  Well, there is a reason we are starting with this lyric from a Hindi film song. This literally means from what, to what. The T20 World Cup came into inception in 2007 and from 2009-2014, that's 4 seasons in a row, Sri Lanka qualified for the semifinals at least in each. However, post 2014, in a total of 4 World Cup editions, the Lankan lions have simply forgotten to roar, not making it to the knockouts in even one edition! With the Lankans scheduled to play 4 matches at home in the league stage and later, Colombo and Pallekele scheduled to host the Super Eights, the 'home' nation will believe that they can turn around their woeful World Cup record of late.

Bright and sunny! Hurrah for starters. Live pictures show a picturesque Premadasa bathed in sunshine, and if we are to believe the forecast, there is no rain predicted for tonight at least. Fingers crossed, it stays that way. The players are at the ground, going through their warm-up rituals.

2026 WC debut - Colombo makes its 2026 World Cup debut as co-hosts Sri Lanka get ready to play their first game of the tournament. This is the first match of Group B, while Groups A, C and D have at least had two teams playing a game. And while the expectations and pressure of being a co-host would be high, the weather factor makes it equally challenging as with Colombo and actually anywhere in Sri Lanka, one can never predict what's coming for the day.

... MATCH DAY ...

A World Cup crossroads - 'Every World Cup has a moment where the story truly begins' and that moment arrives in Colombo as Sri Lanka, the 2014 T20 World Cup champions and co-hosts of this year's tournament, step into familiar territory at the R. Premadasa Stadium knowing they have a point to prove after failing to make it out of the group stage in the last edition, while Ireland endured a winless campaign. With Group B also featuring heavyweights Australia alongside Oman and Zimbabwe, this opening clash suddenly carries huge significance as the winner will immediately gain an early upper hand in the race for qualification. Spin, skill and Sri Lanka’s edge - Sri Lanka come into the tournament with a squad built for home conditions but one that has shown mixed results in recent T20I series, especially in the 3-0 whitewash against England at home, where flashes of brilliance have too often been followed by batting collapses and lapses in execution, making the role of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis at the top absolutely vital as they look to provide both stability and tempo in the Powerplay, allowing the likes of Kamil Mishara and the middle order to attack without reckless pressure. The true backbone of this Sri Lankan side, however, lies in their bowling and all-round depth, with Wanindu Hasaranga once again set to be the key figure in Colombo, where his ability to take wickets through the middle overs, control the run rate and add late runs with the bat can tilt games on its head, supported superbly by the mystery spin of Maheesh Theekshana and the left-arm variation of Dunith Wellalage, a trio perfectly suited to the slow, gripping surface at Premadasa that rewards accuracy and deception. With Dushmantha Chameera providing pace and movement with the new ball and Matheesha Pathirana's yorkers and slower balls closing out innings at the death, Sri Lanka possess a bowling attack that can dominate every phase, even if their recent weakness has been a lack of early breakthroughs and an occasional tendency to leak boundaries under pressure. The Irish test - Ireland, on the other hand, arrive as dangerous outsiders led by the ever-aggressive Paul Stirling, whose Powerplay hitting can instantly swing momentum, and Harry Tector, the calm and technically assured anchor who often holds their innings together, with Lorcan Tucker and the younger Tector Tim adding depth and flexibility through the middle, all of it underpinned by growing confidence after back-to-back T20I series wins over Italy and the UAE coming into this tournament. Their bowling unit, spearheaded by the left-arm pace of Josh Little and backed by the control and movement of Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy, gives them a disciplined and varied attack capable of creating pressure in all phases. On a surface that traditionally favours turn and clever variations, George Dockrell and Gareth Delany could also extract plenty from the track with their intelligent spin bowling to play a key role. The big test, however, will be how they cope with sustained high-quality spin, especially against Sri Lanka's stacked middle-over bowling resources. Team Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, latest results first) - Sri Lanka - LLLWL | Ireland - WWLWW. What to expect? With Sri Lanka looking to make a strong statement on home soil and Ireland eager to erase memories of a winless last World Cup, this contest feels like far more than just another group match, especially with history adding another layer as these two sides have met three times in the T20 World Cup before, with Sri Lanka unbeaten against the Irish after victories in the 2009, 2021 and 2022 editions, and in a tight Group B, a fast start here could define the path both teams take through the rest of the tournament.